How to teach a child safety

When you voice safety rules to your child, you need to explain to them why this is important. You can achieve his submission by using the phrase: “Because I said so,” but this will not convince the child of the importance of the rule. Try to assure him that the rules are not needed to make his life less joyful, but to make him safe. The more fair and reasonable the rules seem to the child, the more likely that he will accept them and adhere to them.

Do not bully a child. If you do not want the child to climb trees, you should not tell him: “You will fall and turn your neck.” Say better: “You may fall, and you will be hurt.” If you exaggerate a possible danger, this can lead to one of two consequences (or both at once):

the child will cease to trust you. He will not believe you, because he understands: what you say is unlikely;
the child will believe you, but he will grow up with confidence that the world is a terrible place full of dangers.
When a child does not comply with the established rules, you must let him know that his dangerous behavior has consequences. Continue reading →